It’s another long weekend in Malaysia in conjunction with the Hari Raya holidays! How many of you are headed for a balik kampung trip or just planning a road trip around Malaysia? Or maybe you are already stuck in a massive traffic jam as you read this.
If so, you would fully understand that it is super frustrating when you are a totally law-abiding driver but encounter some unscrupulous drivers on the road. For example, you know, those that always use the emergency late to cut queue.
Now, you can directly snap photos of videos of these errant drivers and report them to the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
That’s because they have recently launched a dedicated mobile phone number where the public can send their complaints using WhatsApp, the Star reports.
The number to save into your mobile phone is 011-5111 5252.
JPJ director-general Datuk Seri Nadzri Siron said the public can send photographs and details of these unlawful drivers. “We also ask bus passengers to report bus companies that do not assign a second driver on journeys exceeding four hours. Alternatively, they can e-mail us at aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my,” he added.
However, this number is only contactable until July 2 as it was launched in conjunction with Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2017 and is aimed at making drivers aware that they can be caught anytime.
“We want our road users to be more courteous and law-abiding. If effective, we will make this WhatsApp complaint channel a permanent feature,” Nadzri said. The authenticity of the information will be verified by PLUS Malaysia Bhd and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission before JPJ takes any action.
So far, the number has already received 22 complaints up till Thursday. Meanwhile, 7,229 summonses were issued by JPJ under the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) between June 18 and 22.
This year, the number of motorists on the road has increased by 40% from 1.5 million to 2.1 million. PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said, “The number of accidents has also increased by 30% from 150 last year to 195 this year, as did the number of deaths – from eight to 10 victims of which seven were motorcyclists.” Oh dear, be careful on the road!
Of course, if you’re the driver, please don’t use your phone as it is illegal to do so. Get your passenger to do it!
Drive safe, people and WOB wishes everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!
Also read: Malaysian Man Warns Netizens of New Road Scam He Fell Victim to at Sg Buloh R&R